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Solar Basics
Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems generate electricity from sunlight. There is no noise, pollution, or moving parts. Solar electricity is a remarkable way to produce clean and reliable electricity. Installing solar energy systems can be done as either a back-up solution to power-grid failure or as a grid-connected system providing you free energy when you are using it and providing you credit with your utility when production of electricity is greater than your usage.
Solar hot water systems are not the same as PV solar systems. Solar hot water systems use the sun's energy to heat water and PV solar systems convert the sunlight directly into electricity. These systems can sometimes be combined but are more often separated as different solar solutions.
PV solar systems are simple. They are comprised of solar panels, racks for mounting the panels on the roof or ground, electrical wiring, and an inverter. Electricity generated by solar panels looks a lot like the electricity generated by a battery. It is DC or Direct Current. The inverter will take the DC current and change it to AC or Alternating Current, which is the electricity used in the home and by the power utility.
Once you have a PV solar system installed, the panels silently generate electricity during daylight hours. The electricity is sent to the inverter where it is converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which then becomes available for use.
The electricity produced from the PV solar system and the amount of electricity consumed is monitored by the utility company through a process called net metering. If the solar system generates more electricity than is used by the home, the meter spins backwards and the power is sent to the utility company. When more power is used than generated, at night for example, electricity is drawn back from the utility to supply the power required. This is one way that solar energy helps the environment. By converting your home or business to solar energy, you create electricity that the utility does not have to find elsewhere using fossil fuels, nuclear power, or other non-renewable energy sources. The energy you create that is not immediately used by you becomes an energy "credit" that allows you to take energy back from the utility at a later time without incurring additional costs.
Going green with solar energy is currently supported by government subsidies for solar energy as well as several government incentives for solar energy. These are then supplemented with various state grants for solar energy and rebates for solar energy. This makes financing solar energy in your residence or business economical as well as environmentally sound.
See how you too can save money and realize the advantages of solar energy. Let us know of your interest and we can discuss the benefits of a PV-based system and whether your home is well situated for installation and conversion to residential solar energy.
Learn more about...
 Commercial Solar for your business
Residential Solar for your home
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have additional questions about a solar energy system from 1st Light Energy? Call us or contact us today! 1-866-83-SOLAR
How much does a solar energy system cost?
| Unlike buying a certain model of car, the price of a solar system has many variables like the state you reside in, the size of the system you desire, your energy savings goals, and currently available incentives and rebates. After gathering the answers to the above questions, 1st Light Energy will be able to give you a much clearer picture of how much an individual system will cost you. |
What is the payback period of a system?
| The payback period refers to the period of time required for the return on an investment to "repay" the sum of the original investment. For example, a $1000 investment which returned $500 per year would have a two year payback period. The average payback period is eight months for 1st Light Energy customers. However, if you choose a $0 down lease, your payback becomes immediate. |
What is the rate of return on a system?
| Internal Rate of Return, known as IRR or more commonly as Rate of Return, is the amount of money gained on your solar energy system relative to the amount of money invested. This is also commonly referred to as ROI or Return on Investment. Once your solar energy system pays for itself, on average of 8 months for 1st Light Energy customers, your IRR will continue to grow. |
What States does 1st Light Energy service?
| We are now authorized in PA as well as NY, NJ, MA, CT, and CA. |
What are the solar rebates in my State?
Do I need to obtain permits?
| 1st Light Energy will handle the entire process of filing for the proper permits with your municipality. |
What if I need financing?
| 1st Light Energy can work to help arrange financing for you. |
What kind of maintenance does a system require?
| Solar energy systems are very low maintenance. Periodic simple cleaning and inspection are recommended. 1st Light Energy suggests that you keep trees that may shade the system properly maintained. |
What seperates 1st Light Energy from competitors?
| There are many things that separate 1st Light Energy. Namely, with over 10 years in the business, we are experienced in the industry and not just another one of the many companies that have sprung up recently with no experience. Further, we put customer service at the forefront. From working with you to design your system to filing all of your paperwork, our main goal is to make solar simple for you. |
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